Finding a Crypto-Literate Solicitor in the UK

Why You Need a Specialist

Most solicitors in the UK have little or no experience with cryptocurrency. They understand wills, trusts, and probate — but they may not understand the unique challenges that Bitcoin and other crypto assets present.

A solicitor who does not understand cryptocurrency may:

• Fail to ask the right questions about how your crypto is held
• Draft a will that does not adequately address digital assets
• Include private keys or seed phrases in the will (making them public after probate)
• Underestimate the complexity of transferring self-custody Bitcoin
• Miss opportunities for tax-efficient structuring

You do not need a solicitor who is a Bitcoin expert. You need one who understands the basics: the difference between exchange-held and self-custody crypto, why private keys must not go in the will, and how to use a letter of wishes for technical recovery details.

Where to Look

STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners)

STEP is a global professional association for practitioners in trusts and estates. Members hold the TEP (Trust and Estate Practitioner) qualification, which indicates specialist knowledge. While STEP members do not all have crypto experience, the organisation is increasingly focused on digital assets.

Search the STEP directory for practitioners in your area and ask specifically about their experience with cryptocurrency estates.

Law Society

The Law Society of England and Wales maintains a directory of solicitors that allows you to search by specialisation. Look for solicitors specialising in wills, probate, and estate administration, then enquire about their crypto experience.

Specialist Firms

A growing number of UK firms now specifically advertise cryptocurrency estate planning services. These range from traditional law firms that have added crypto capabilities to newer firms built specifically around digital asset planning.

Personal Recommendations

The crypto community in the UK is active and connected. Bitcoin meetup groups, online forums, and social media communities can be good sources of solicitor recommendations from people who have been through the process.

Questions to Ask

When you contact a solicitor, ask these questions to gauge their competence:

1. Have you drafted wills that include cryptocurrency? The most important question. Direct experience matters more than theoretical knowledge.

2. Do you understand the difference between exchange-held and self-custody Bitcoin? A solicitor who does not understand this distinction is unlikely to draft appropriate documentation.

3. Where would you advise storing seed phrase recovery information? The correct answer is NOT in the will. If they suggest including it in the will, look elsewhere. It should be in a letter of wishes, sealed envelope, or other private document.

4. Are you familiar with multi-signature wallets and Shamir’s Secret Sharing? These are common inheritance planning tools. A crypto-literate solicitor should at least know what they are, even if they do not recommend them for every client.

5. Can you advise on the inheritance tax implications of crypto assets? They should know that HMRC treats crypto as property and can explain the IHT implications.

6. Have you handled probate for an estate that included cryptocurrency? Practical experience with the probate process for crypto estates is valuable, as it involves unique challenges not found in traditional estate administration.

What Your Solicitor Needs From You

To draft appropriate documents, your solicitor will need:

• A summary of your crypto holdings — types of crypto, approximate values, and how they are held
• Your custody arrangements — which exchanges, which wallets, whether you use hardware wallets
• Your security setup — not the actual keys, but the structure (e.g., “I use a hardware wallet with a 24-word seed phrase backed up in two locations”)
• Your preferred beneficiaries — who should receive the crypto
• Your preferred executor — who will handle the technical recovery
• Any existing estate planning documents — current will, trusts, pension nominations

You do not need to disclose your private keys or seed phrases to your solicitor. They need to know the structure of your security, not the actual secrets.

The Role of the Solicitor in Your Plan

A crypto-literate solicitor can:

• Draft a will that properly references your digital assets without exposing sensitive information
• Prepare a letter of wishes with detailed recovery instructions
• Hold a sealed envelope containing part of your recovery information (e.g., one share of a split seed phrase), to be opened only on your death
• Advise on tax structuring — including the use of trusts and spousal exemptions to minimise IHT
• Guide your executor through the probate process for crypto assets
• Review and update your plan periodically

Expected Costs

Costs vary significantly depending on the complexity of your estate and the firm you choose. As a rough guide:

• Simple will including crypto provisions: £500-£1,500
• Will with letter of wishes and sealed envelope custody: £1,000-£3,000
• Comprehensive estate plan with trusts: £3,000-£10,000+
• Ongoing annual review: £200-£500

These costs should be weighed against the value of the assets they protect. If you hold £50,000 or more in cryptocurrency, professional advice is a sensible investment.

Red Flags

Be cautious of solicitors who:

• Suggest putting your full seed phrase in the will
• Do not understand the difference between a seed phrase and a password
• Claim that crypto does not need special treatment in a will
• Cannot explain how IHT applies to cryptocurrency
• Are unfamiliar with the concept of self-custody
• Recommend a single approach without considering your specific circumstances

Getting Started

Finding the right solicitor may take some effort, but the investment is worth it. A well-drafted will and letter of wishes, prepared by someone who understands cryptocurrency, can be the difference between your family inheriting your Bitcoin and your Bitcoin being lost forever.

Start with one conversation. Explain that you hold cryptocurrency and want to include it in your estate plan. The solicitor’s response will tell you quickly whether they are the right person for the job.

Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about finding solicitors for cryptocurrency estate planning in the UK. It is not legal advice. Always consult a qualified solicitor for guidance specific to your situation.

Related Reading

• Bitcoin Probate in the UK — What your solicitor will need to navigate during the probate process.
• Crypto Will Writing Guide — How to structure the will your solicitor will help you draft.
• Bitcoin Inheritance Tax (UK) — The HMRC rules your solicitor should understand.
• Bitcoin Inheritance Planning (UK) — The full estate planning framework your solicitor should support.
• Gerald Cotten: $190M Taken to the Grave — Why professional oversight and succession planning matter.